attitude

We all know people who think very highly of themselves, they think they are better than anyone else. These people are very hard to get along with, but some people are willing to tolerate them because if they're a friend, your status is as high. The average person longs for the days when the great and wonderful person is brought low. I don't think we fully understand the problems the high and mighty create for everyone else.

James 3:16 Where ever there is jealous and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

Ambitious people don't always play by the rules, they will do whatever they need to in order to achieve their goal. They will cheat and even stab their friends in the back in order to remain on their pedestal. Everyone wants to be liked and accepted, but some will take shortcuts in order to garner attention. If you want to see what this Scripture is referring to, just look at our politicians. They are jealous of others who have a large following. So, what do they do? They begin to start rumors and tell lies in order to boost themselves above their opponent. Notice our text, "evil of every kind". There are no limits to what the jealous and ambitious will do in order to put themselves on top.

Romans 12:3 I give each of you a warning, don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

Our faith in God has made us what we are, we did none of this on our own. Anything other than the truth is fake news and we have no business ministering the lies of the devil. The devil really thought he was something and it cost him his place from God's presence. The devil's attitude cost him his place in God's Kingdom. We do ourselves no service when we act like the devil. Everyone wants to be accepted, everyone wants a reputation that people accept. How do we get there the right way?

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt (elevate) you in due time.

The Apostle Paul called himself a servant of the Lord many times, and yet Paul is one of the greatest Bible heroes of all time. He wrote two thirds of the New Testament and he said "I am what I am by the grace of God". Because of Paul's humility, God exalted him. Paul never thought more highly of himself than he should have. Personally I don't care what people think of me, I am however concerned with what God thinks of me. I judge myself every day, I want to be found serving Him with all my heart. If anyone should give me a compliment, I pass it on to Him. I am what I am by the grace of God.

Philippians 2:3 Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves.

Where does your attitude come from? Are you a person that must have attention or are you committed to the way of your Lord? Jesus said "If you have seen Me, you've seen the Father". Here is what we need to say, "If you see Me, you're seeing Jesus". Attitude is everything, it will attract people or it will repel them. The right attitude will attract God and His power into our lives. We must choose our priority. It's either God or us. A wise man knows his options and his place, his place is with his Savior.